2 Corinthians 1:3-7 New Living Translation
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
9 times in 5 verses Paul uses the word comfort
Gr. par-ak’-lay-sis lit. means nearness… bedside.
Psalm 34:18 New Living Translation
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 New Living Translation
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 New Living Translation
8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
- STOP RELYING ON OURSELVES AND RELY ON GOD
2 Corinthians 1:9 New Living Translation
9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.
Isaiah 26:3-4 New Living Translation
3 You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
4 Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Psalm 56:3-4 New Living Translation
3 But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
Jeremiah 17:7-8 New Living Translation
7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
- WE KNOW WHO RESCUES US
2 Corinthians 1:10 New Living Translation
10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.
2 Peter 2:9 New Living Translation
9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.
Psalm 91:2-3; 14-16 New Living Translation
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
…
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
- MOVE FORWARD IN PRAYER
2 Corinthians 1:11 New Living Translation
11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
Mark 9:28-29 New Living Translation
28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”
29 Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”
Psalm 86:1-7 New Living Translation
1 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
answer me, for I need your help.
2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I am calling on you constantly.
4 Give me happiness, O Lord,
for I give myself to you.
5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
6 Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
hear my urgent cry.
7 I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.
Sermon Questions
- How does knowing that God is “the source of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3) help us when we face difficult situations? Think about a time when you felt comforted by God. How did it change the way you handled the situation?
- Why is it important to rely on God rather than ourselves in times of trouble, as Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 1:9? What does it mean to trust in God instead of your own abilities? How can you practice this in your daily life?
- How can praying for others, like Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 1:11, help strengthen your own faith? Consider the role of prayer in supporting others and how it can also impact your relationship with God.